He denies assaulting two women in Stockholm in 2010 and says the sex was consensual.

Swedish prosecutors have dismissed his claims that their case is part of a wider political move to see him stand trial in the US over his work with Wikileaks.

Mr Assange has said he fears he could face the death penalty if convicted in the US - although the Human Rights Act prevents the UK or Sweden from being able to extradite people for trial in countries where they could face such a sentence.

On Monday, Foreign Secretary William Hague said claims Mr Assange could face the death penalty in the US were "without foundation".

He told MPs the UK and Sweden would seek assurances about his human rights if a "third country" sought to try him for disclosing documents.

And the foreign secretary called for further meetings with Ecuador to resolve the row.